Merchandise cabinet



July 7, 1959 R. F. PALMER MERCHANDISE CABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1957 e 6 F M 7 H z x z w m/ l II J 7 Illlllll M I M 5 5 6 Z Z Z w 3 l 0 7 Z 2 w w L 4/ 9 2 w INVENT'OR ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 R. F. PALMER MERCHANDISE CABINET Filed ma 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MAT i 1 1? .EPa Zm er INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

July 7, 1959 R. F. PALMER MERCHANDISE CABINET 4 sheets-sheet 5 Filed May 1, 1957 RF: Palm er INVENTOR ATTORNEYS R. F. PALMER 2,893,804 MERCHANDISE CABINET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 z w a 9 R a, $4 a M H mm 5 r 3 7 a 7 fl M J /-l/ 11 a v v f V M i Li i? 5 ,1 7 f, L A 5 5 4 5 4 7 2 a x Q f m ra 4 U M, M 5 a 0 5 U .0 Z 6 v 8 9 5 3 u a 3 2 a z o 2 2 J r; m v

July 7, 1959 Filed May 1, 1957 ATTORNEYS MERCHANDISE CABINET Robert F. Palmer, Belmont, Calif. Application'May 1,195.7,Serial Np. 656,412

-1 Claim. ((11.312-71').

Thisv invention relates-to a merchandise cabinet and more particularly for a cabinet for displaying, and dispensing soft articles of merchandise such; as haberdashery including shirts, SQcks, underclothing and the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a cabinet of this character provided, with internally dis- PQ-Sed elevators providing means whereby the merchandise on display is constantly exposed at a given level, regardless of the quantityofi merchandise positioned on the elevator.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such, a cabinet provided with a. storage-space, and having means whereby the storagespace-may be filled, and/or the elevatorsreloaded. with a minimum of efiort and difliculty.

Still. another object. of this; inyentionis the provision of a cabinet. of this: character provided. with displaymeans whereby the toparticle ona. given; elevator is, constantly exposed adjacent. a .glass :,panel or the: ike.

A still. further object of theinvention is; the provision of such a cabinet having means whereby the; top article of? merchandise on an. elevatormay bewithdrawn for sale'or display-as. desired, and asubsequent article will beimmediately moved into position adjacent, thedisplay panel. 1

still further object of the invention is theprovisio'n of an improved elevator: constructionembodying counterweights' orspring. tensioning means.- which maybe readily varied to accommodate a variety of merchandise ofdifferent'weight.

An additional object-of the invention is the provision of a device ofi this character having means to facilitate themovement of the elevator upwardly ordownwardly asdesired, such means takingthe-formofguide channels and-theelevator shelves being providedwith guidemeans movable in the channels.

A more specific, object of the invention is the provision ofsuch an arrangement wherein the guide means take the form of. ball casters-or the like.

A further object of'the invention is the provision of such a device wherein theg uide means take'the'formjof plates vertically slidable in the guide channels.

Still another objcctwof the invention is the provision,

ofja device of this character which may be constructed with either one guide channel and a, cantilever type of support, or, two guide channels disposed'on opposite .sides of the display shelf of the elevator.

Stilt-another object. of the invention is. the. provision offan elevator for-useina cabinetofthis character which will. be; sturdy and; durable. in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture-1 and. assemble.

Still other objects residein the combinations. ofele: ments, arrangements. ofparts, and featuresyof construction.

Other. objects in part will be'obvious, and: in part be pointed out hereinafter as the description of theinven- ICE tion proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings,

wherein there are disclosed preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.-

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view'of a trierchandise display cabinet embodying the elevators comprising a feature of the instant invention, and showing other relevant elements.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view disclosing one form of elevator employed in the instant invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure '4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of Figure 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4 as viewed in the, direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, but showing a modified form of construction.

Figure, 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 of Figure 6 as viewed in the direction indicated by the, arrows.

Figure 8 is, an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure 6 as viewed in the direction, indicated by the arrows.

Figure 9* is. a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure, 2, but disclosing a still further modified form of construction.

Figure IQ is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view of a constructional element, as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 1-1 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing a still further modified form of construction.

Figure 12is an enlarged view partially in elevation and partially'in section showing certain constructional details. of the modification of Figure l1, and

Figure 13 is a. sectional view, partially broken away, taken substantially along the line 13 13 of Figure 12 as, viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figure 1, there is generally indicated at 20 a merchandise cabinet which may be of any desired shape, but which in the illustrative embodiment includes side panels 21, and removable front panels 22. A plurality of rows of terraced shelves 23 are provided adjacent the front of the cabinet, and have in the tops thereof a series of spaced openings 24,, which may or may not contain glass panels, and through. which the merchandise may be displayed.

Positioned between each opening 2.4, is an elevator shelf 25 (to be more fully described hereinafter), upon which is adapted to be positioned merchandise, of any selectedztype, such as shirts or the like. Positioned directly beneath each openingZd in the side wall, immediately beneath the shelf 23 is an elongated opening 26, so dimensioned that the top article of merchandise juxtaposed to-the under side of an opening 24, may be-removed manually from the'cabinet. The upper portion 27 of the cabinet is adapted for the storage of articles, and con- 7 tains fixed shelves 28, upon which are adapted to be from the merchandise contained in the portion 27 of the cabinet when necessary, all of which is to be more fully described hereinafter. I Suitable hooks 30 may be provided adjacent the top of the cabinet for the support and display of such articles as neckties or the like.

Having reference now particularly to the modification .of the invention disclosed in Figures 2 to inclusive, it

inner'end of shelf 25 is positioned adjacent a partition .39, which is provided with a longitudinally extending transverse channel 40. The slot 40 has extending longitudinally thereof a substantially rectangular guide channel 41, one side of which is provided with a vertical slot 42 through which extends a projection 43 carried by a bracket member 44. The bracket 44 includes a pair of laterally extending oppositely disposed arms 45, apertured to receive bolt and nut members 46 for securing their extremities to the upper side of shelf 25 adjacent one edge thereof, and is also provided with an upwardly extending centrally positioned lug 47 which is apertured to receive the threaded end of a connecting member 48 terminating in an eye 49.

The extremity of projection 43 within guide channel member 41 carries a channel shaped guide follower 50. the legs 51 of which are of a length substantially equal to the depth of the guide member 41, while the transverse center portion of the guide follower 50 is of an extent sufiicient to substantially span the width of guide member 41, and of a length, as best shown in Figure 4 substantially the width of the base of cantilever arm 35 so as to securely hold shelf 25 in horizontal position.

Located between the upper flange 36 of cantilever arm 35 at the bottom of shelf 25 is a reinforcing strip 55, which is provided with an aperture aligned with a corresponding aperture in the center portion of bracket 44 and flange 36 to accommodate a bolt 56 having a flush head 57, the bolt being secured as by a nut 58 to hold the support 55, arm 35 and bracket 44 in related assembly.

Suitable transversely extending strips 60 extend transversely across the slot or opening 40 in partition 39, and are secured to opposite sides thereof as by bolts 61 to retain the guide channel 41 in position interiorly of the partition 39.

Positioned in the slot 40 above the upper end of guide channel 41 is a pivot 62 which has rotatably mounted thereon a sprocket 63, over which extends a chain 64. One end of the chain 64 is provided with an eye 65 which is secured within the eye 49, for permanent engagement to the shelf 25. The other end of the chain 64 terminates in an eye 66 which is aflixed to a corresponding eye 67 carried by the upper end of a weight 68. It will be seen that the weight 68 is, in this modification freely suspended on the outer side of partition 39, and serves as a counter balance for the shelf 25, with its merchandise 26, to raise the shelf in accordance with its relative weight as each article of merchandise 26 is removed therefrom.

In order to accommodate merchandise of various weights, cantilever arm 35 is provide at a point centered relative to shelf 25 with an aperture 70, in which is adapted to be seated a link 71 which engages in an aperture 72 of a selected balance weight 73. The weight 73 is so arranged and constructed as to accommodate a second aperture 73, in which an additional link 74 may be positioned to engage a similar aperture 72 in an additional weight 73, weights and links being added as desired. A

receptacle or tray 75 is adapted to be positioned on the base of cabinet structure for the reception of the weights 73 when shelf isin its fully lowered position.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the elevator disclosed in this form of the invention should now be readily apparent. The front panel 22 of cabinet 20 is first opened, and the shelf 25 lowered manually to its lowermost position. A desired quantity of merchandise is then placed thereon, and the weight 68 will elevate the shelf 25, until the top of the stack of merchandise 26 is closely adjacent the opening 24, in abutting relation with its glass panel, if such is used. Suitable counterweights 73 are then added to the under side of the shelf, in such manner to balance the device, so that as the top article of merchandise is removed, counterweights 68 will raise the shelf to bring the next article of merchandise immediately under the associated opening 24. Balancing .weights 73 are provided in order that, in the case of relatively light merchandise the Weight of counterweights 68 .will not press the garments or other merchandise too tightly against the under side of the associated shelf 23.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 disclose a modified form of the invention which is adapted to be employed in locations where the saving of space is not paramount, as in single elevator installations, or in display and merchandising cabinets disposed in a large area.

In this modification the cantilever support is dispensed with, and the counterweight is provided at each side of the shelf.

In this form of the invention a shelf 25a is located between a pair of partitions 80, each of which is provided with a vertically extending channel 81, within which is positioned a shelf guide 82, the shelf guide being of the same general configuration as that disclosed in the previously described modification, and is provided with a slot 83, through which projects an extension 84 of a bracket generally indicated at 85, including trans verse portions 86 secured as by screws 87 to the top t of shelf 25a.

Each projecting portion 84 is provided with a guide follower 88, of a general configuration similar to that of guide follower 50, which serves to space the edges of shelves 25a from their associated partitions 8 0. However in this instance the width of'the guides 82 is less than that of the partitions with which they are associated, for a purpose to be more .fully described hereinafter.

The brackets 85 are of an inverted L-shaped configuration, as best shown in Figure 6, and have at their midpoint apertures for the engagement of hooks 89, which terminate in bolt portions 90 on the under side of shelves 25a, extending through suitable apertures in an L-shaped transversely extending reinforcing bar 91, and which are secured in position as by means of nuts 92.

. The depending flange 93 of L-shaped bar 91 is provided with an aperture 94, from which depends a link 95 adapted to support a weight 96, from which may depend a link 97 and additional weights 96 in the manner described in connection with the foregoing modification. Each hook 89 engages a suitable eye 98 carried by the end of a chain 99, which is engaged over a sprocket 100, carried by an axle 101 extending transversely of channel 81, and mounted in a. channel shaped transversely extending protecting member 102. The other end of chain 99 terminates in an eye 103, which engages a hook 104 carried by a counterweight 105.

The counterweight 105 has projecting laterally therefrom a guide follower 106, which is T-shaped in horizontal cross section, and rides Within a guide channel 107 positioned vertically within slot 81, and secured in any use of the shelf in this modification of the invention is substantially identical to that previously described.

Figure 9 discloses a still further modified form of the invention wherein a shelf 25b is adapted to move between two partitions 110, each of which is provided with a vertical dado groove 111, within which is movable a chain 112, secured at its lower end to an L-shaped bracket 113 mounted on the upper surface of shelf 25b. The under side of shelf 25b is provided with a transversely extending relatively rigid reinforcing cross piece 114, which, in this embodiment, is preferably made of wood. The reinforcing strip or member 114 is provided with a centrally disposed aperture 115, adapted to suspend a link 116 supporting a weight 117, and additional links 118 of shorter length carrying further weights 117, the arrangement there is substantially identical to that disclosed in the previous two modifications.

In this modification the ends of strip 114 are provided with bores 118, into which are fitted the cylindrical portions of conventional ball casters 119, each caster including a ball bearing 120 spring biased outwardly as by a coil spring 121, of conventional type. These sleeves ride on the base of dado groove 111, which may be reinforced by a metallic bottom facing strip 122 if desired. The reinforcing strip 114 may if desired, be provided with a top metallic strip 123 positioned between its upper edge and the under side of shelf 25b.

The chains 112 extend upwardly from brackets 113 over sprocket wheels 125, which are rotatably journalled on axles 126 set within housings 128 in recesses which extend completely through partitions 110. At their other ends the chains 112 are connected to suitable counterweights 129, of any desired type, which are mounted for free movement in a space between partition 110 and an outer wall 130.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 disclose a still further modified form of the device particularly adapted for use where relatively limited space is provided, and further designed for extreme economy in manufacture. In the construction shown in Figure 11 there is disclosed a pair of oppositely positioned partitions 135, each of which has an inwardly facing longitudinally extending dado groove 136. A shelf 250 provided with casters 137 having balls 138 substantially identical in construction to the previously described casters 119120, which ride upon a reinforcing strip 139 of suitable metal or the like positioned at the bottom of each groove 136. The shelf 25c also has a horizontally disposed transverse reinforcing strip 140, in which the casters 137 are set.

A transversely extending reinforcing strip 141 extending across the top of shelf 250 has secured at opposite ends thereof the lower leg 142 of a channel shaped supporting bracket 143. The top portion 144 of member 143 is provided with a notch 145 through which passes one end of a flexible wire 146, the end being clamped to the base of member 143 by means of an outwardly struck clamping portion 147, which securely holds the wire to the bracket. The upper end of wire 146 is wound about a conventional spring biased reel 150, of the type which ordinarily biases an extending wire to retracted position, and which may be purchased on the open market. Each spring reel 150 includes a rotatable drum 151 contained within a casing 152 (see Fig. 13), and mounted for rotation on an axle 154, a fiat strip coil spring 155 serving normally to bias wire 146 to wound position, in conventional manner. Each housing 152 has attached thereto a base plate 156 which is bolted or otherwise secured by means of securing members 157 interiorly of a recess 158 extending from one of the side Walls of groove 136. Any desired conventional means 6 are provided for adjusting the tension of the spring acting on the wire, to adapt the same to a selected permissible weight of merchandise on the shelves.

In this modification no counterweights such as counterweights 73 are required for the shelf, since the spring tension of the elements may be readily varied as desired.-

The use and operation of this modification is substan' tially identical to that of the foregoing modifications, but this type is particularly characterized by the omission of counterweights, balancing weights, channel guides, and other comparatively expensive and space requiring parts.

While there has been hereinbefore described several embodiments of merchandising cabinet, each having specific details, it will be understood that various details of the cabinet structures may be interchanged, as for example, the freely swinging weight of the modification of Figures 2 to 5 may be substituted for the weight and guide channel of Figures 6 and 7, or vice versa, and while in the cantilever construction of Figure 2 the guide channel and counterweight have been described as located in a side partition, they might equally advantageously be located in a rear wall.

Additionally while the device has herein been described particularly in connection with fiat merchandise, such as haberdashery or the like, it may equally well be employed with other merchandise, such as canned goods, bolts of cloth, or any other article adapted to be stacked.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved merchandising cabinet, which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

In a merchandise display and dispensing device, a cabinet having a flat horizontal portion, an opening in said flat portion, an elevator positioned beneath said opening and including a shelf adapted to have merchandise positioned thereon, means normally biasing said shelf towards said opening for display of merchandise, said shelf being positioned for movement between two vertical partitions, said partitions having channels therein, flexible means in said channels comprising wires, a U-shaped bracket disposed laterally and having one leg secured to the top of said shelf on each side thereof, lugs struck from the bight portion of each U-shaped bracket, and openings in the upper leg of each bracket, each wire extending through an opening and being attached to a lug to secure said wires to opposite sides of said shelf and extending upwardly from the top of said shelf, said biasing means including a spring reel at the top of said channel biasing said wire upwardly, and guide means comprising spring-biased ball casters extending from said shelf into said channel for guiding said shelf in a fixed vertical path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 262,007 Connable Aug. 1, 1882 742,646 Hermany Oct. 27, 1903 796,700 Camph Aug. 8, 1905 804,957 Keller Nov. 21, 1905 1,288,680 Rice Dec. 24, 1918 2,560,928 Bockius July 17, 1951 

